Hot-water heating system



g- 19, 1952 R. E. MOORE 2,607,535

HOT WATER HEATING SYSTEM Filed May 12, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 R. E. MOORE HOT WATER HEATING SYSTEM Aug. 19, 1952 Filed May 12, 1951 \INQ Inz/e rzZ afi FOf'Z E ooreJ. liars (J- 19, 1952 R. E. MOORE HOT WATER HEATING SYSTEM 3 SheetLs-Sheet 3 Filed May 12, 1951 i atentecl Aug. 19, 19 52 i UNITED STATES PATENT I OFF ICE 12 Claims.

My invention relates to hot water heating systems and more particularly to an arrangement for supplying hot Water to the radiators and hot water for service or domestic use in quantities limited only by boiler capacity and in which the boiler is only required to satisfy either of these demands at any one time.

In hot water heating systems which are intermittently and automatically fired by gas or oil, a characteristic hook-up includes a main circuit leading to the radiators or space heaters generally having one or more flow control valves operated by a circulating pump which is responsive to the demands of a room thermostat and a parallel service water heating circuit through which boiler water flows continuously, the latter flow being thermogravitational and therefore at a slow rate when the pump is notoperating. It has been recognized that while a system of this type possesses simplicity of arrangement which is reflected in certain installation advantages, it is objectionable in other respects, namely, a heating efliciency that is lower than it should be and longer on periods of the pump and burner under conditions of sustained demand by either the room thermostat or for service water or both.

For example, if after a sustained draw of service water with a consequent reduction in the temperature of the boiler water, the room thermostat should demand heat, there will obviously be a considerable lag in supplying heat to the space heating elements since the boiler it at the same time trying to restore the temperature of the service water. This condition is due to the relatively low initial temperature of the boiler water at the instant of demand and also because the cold water from the space heating elements is continuously circulated through the boiler and over or through the heating coil in the service water heating circuit so that the temperature of the boiler water rises slowly. On the other hand, if the demand for service water follows a heavy space heating demand, the supply of hot spigot water will be inadequate and where both demands are made simultaneously', neither the space heating nor the service heating requirements are met satisfactorily. Moreover, due to the slow movement of the boiler water across the service water heating coil, or through this coil as the case may be, during inactive periods of the pump, the exchange of heat is relatively inefiicient. Further, difiiculties arise in installations of the foregoing character due-to lack of control over the temperature of the service water. In certain localities where the service water is indirectly heated by the boiler water to a temperature in excess of 140 R, deposits of lime and sediment are formed rapidly in the tank or the coils of the heater, thus reducing the rate of heat exchange and lowering the temperature of the water. available-at the; service outlets. aggravated by recurrent periods of overheating. Problems of the foregoing nature are frequently encountered in apartment, restaurant, garage and hotelheating systems with their particularly heavy and all year round demands for service water, but they are not uncommon in domestic installations.

If initial costs are not a factor, a partial solution of the foregoing is possible if boilers larger than the ordinary oversize boilers are used with corresponding sizes of heating coils or hot water storage tanks. Such costs, however, must usually be considered. The initial investment required with such a system is not only prohibitive but the fuel costs and heat losses are excessive and there is an extremely wasteful stand-by heat loss when there are no demands for space heating and for service water. The latter condition is especially true with boilers built for gas firing since such boilers are designed with largeheating surfaces and relatively small water capacity. Ac-

' cordingly, such boilers cool rapidly when the burner stops due to the sweep of cold air across the heating surfaces in its passage to the chimney and the temperature of the service water likewise falls.

It is therefore the principal object of my invention to devise a heating system which utilizes a boiler, economical in size and fuel consumption, that is so related to the remainder of the system that copious quantities of hot service water are immediately available within a shorter time than is possible with existing equipment and in which hot water for the space heating elements is furnished more quickly.

A further object is to devise a system which is characterized by a high heating efficiency, both space and service water heating, because the water whose temperature provides the fundamental control is heated by boiler water which has a short circulatory path to and from the boiler so that it may be quickly brought to the desired operating temperature.

A further object is to provide a system in which water from the boiler is forced through the space heating elements in response to the demand of the room thermostat for heat only when the temperature of the service water is at a predetermined maximum, thus insuring an adequate supply of hot service water and also quickly raising the temperature of the water for the space heating elements when circulation is established, as well as preventing the return of cold water from the space heating elements to the boiler at times when the temperature of the service water is below the maximum which would otherwise delay the required rise in temperature of the water in the boiler.

A further object is to devise a system having radiator or space heating and service water heating portions, passage of water to the space heat- This liming condition is continuously accuses A further object is to devise a system of the foregoing character in which a reversible pump forces water through the space heating elements or through the service water heater thus'increasing the circulatory rate through the heater and facilitating the exchange of heat.

A further object is to provide a heating system of the character indicated in which the flow of Water to the space heating elements is at all times subordinate to the service water being raised to a predetermined temperature.

A further object is to devise a hot water heating system incorporating a tankless or instantaneous heater for service water in which the flow of water across the heater coil and to the space heating elements never occurs simultaneously whereby the full heating capacity of the boiler is applied to either duty.

These and further objects of the invention will be set forth in the following specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and the novel means by which said objects are efiectuated will be definitely pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is an elevation, partly in section, of one exemplification of the heating system, the electrical controlling circuit being omitted.

Fig. 2 is a schematic view showing a typical, electrical circuit for controlling the operation of any of the system modifications.

Figs. 3 and 4 are elevations, partly in section, showing variant arrangements of the system.

Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation of a pressure perated control which may be utilized in place of the temperature responsive control shown in Fig. 2.

Referring to Fig. 1, the numeral i0 designates a hot water boiler which is fired by any type of automatically fired heating unit or :burner utilizing gas, oil or coal andgenerally designated by the numeral ll. Extending fromthe top of the boiler is a riser I2 which connects with one side of a circulating pump 23 of the reversible type which is driven by a reversible motor M. In a simple form of such a pump, the impeller thereof may be straight bladed so that it is able to pump with equal facility in either direction.

The other side of the pump 13 connects with the central part of a valve body which is in teriorally provided on opposite sides of the connection of the body to the pump with pivoted, flow control valves I6 and I1, respectively, that are gravity actuated to the closed'positions shown in Fig. 1 and one of which opens in response to pump pressure depending upon the direction of operation of the pump. A pipe l8 connects the lower part of the boiler ill with the lower part of a vertical casing I 9 whose upper end connects through a pipe with one end of the valve body on the inlet side of the valve I6. Positioned within the casing is is a service water heating coil 21 whose inlet connects through a chamber 22 in a header 23 with a cold water supply pipe 24. The other end of the coil 2| connects through a chamber 25, also in the header 23, with a pipe 25 leading to service outlets.

The casing is and coil 2| comprise a so-called tankless or instantaneous heater, generallyindicated by the numeral 2'1, in which the coil 2| possesses sufficient heating surface to insure that cold water entering the coil will have its temperature raised an adequate amount by the time that it reaches the chamber 25. The parts set forth above, excepting the valve [1, comprise the service water heating circuit and of these parts, the boiler 10, pump 13 and motor M are also common to the radiator or space heating circuit that will now be described.

One end of a supply pipe 28 connects with the opposite end of the valve body 15 on the outlet side of the valve H. The remainder of the pipe 28 connects in the usual way with any number of radiators, generally indicated by the numeral 25!, and the return from the radiators to the bottom of the boiler is effected through a pipe 35). The term radiators is intended to generically include any form of space heating element, such as the commonly designated radiator, convector and heating coils which are embedded in floors, ceilings and walls, i. e., the so-called panel heating units.

From the foregoing, it will be understood that when the pump i3 is running in a direction to force water downwardly through the boiler I! in a direction indicated by the wavy shafted arrows 31, the flow is thence upwardly through the casing 19 in heatexchange relation to the coil 2|, through the pipe 26, past the valve l6 which is opened by pump pressure, and to the upper end of the pump, thus completing the service water heating circuit. During this flow, pump pressure acts with equal force against opposite sides of the valve l7 so that this valve is closed by gravity and flow to the space heating circuit is prevented. Whenthe pump [3 is operating in the opposite direction, the flow direction is indicated by the straight shafted arrows 32, i. e., upwardly through the boiler I ll, past the valve I? which is opened by pump pressure, through the pipev 28 to the space heating element 29, and back to the boiler through the pipe30. The valve [6 is then closed by its weight since equal pump pressure actsagainst opposite sides thereof and flow through-the service water heating circuit is denied.

The invention contemplates that water can be pumped through the space heating circuitonly when the service water -isat or slightly exceeds a predetermined temperature, preferably notless than F., subject to the further demand of a room thermostat, and whenever the temperature of the service water falls below this minimum, flow to the space heating circuit, if then occurring, will be interrupted until the tempera ture of the service water is again raised to 140 F., notwithstanding that the room thermostat may be demanding heat during the supply of heat to the service circuit To eifect this preference for the service circuit, a liquid filled bulb 33 is immersed in the chamber 25, i. e.,-adjacent the outlet of the heating coil 2|, and this bulb forms part of atemperature responsive control generally indicated by the numeral 34 and whose detailed structure will be presently described. As an alternative, the bulb 33 may be mounted within the casing 19 for immersionin the boiler water circulating therethrough. Since the-temperature of the boiler water in the casing [9 always bears a factorial relation to the desired maximum temperature of the service water, the control 34- may be calibrated accordingly and considered as being indirectly responsive -to the temperature of the service water.

r The several control devices andthealliedelectrical'circuit whereby selection of flowthrough the space and service circuits is automatically determined is schematically illustrated in Fig. 2 wherein the parts are shown in positions giving preference to the supply of heat to theservice circuit.

Referring to Fig. 2, the numerals 35 and 36 designate power wires, the former being regarded as the hot wire, which are respectively connected to the ends of the primary winding 31 of a step down transformer 38. A wire 39 connects with the hot wire 35 and a wire 40 which in turn connects with contacts 4| and 42, the contact 4| forming part of a three pole relay generally indicated by the numeral 43 with two of the poles being double throw in switching action and the other pole including the contact 4| being single throw, while the contact 42 forms part of the control 34 which is responsive to the temperature of the service water.

Cooperably related to the contact 42 is a contact 44 and these contacts are bridged by a switch arm 45 whenever the service circuit demands heat, the arm 45 being carried by and insulated from the free end of a Bourdon tube 46 whose fast opposite end communicates with the bulb 33. The bulb 33' and tube 46 are filled with any of the fluids commonly used with such devices so that, as the temperature of the service water rises to the desired maximum, the straightening movement of the tube 46 raises the arm 45 and breaks the associated circuit across the contacts 42 and 44, the arm 45 being shown in circuit closing position.

The contact 44 connects by a wire 4! with the pivoted end of a single throw, switch arm 48, forming part of the relay 43, and the opposite end of the arm 48 engages the contact 4| when heat is supplied to the space circuit as presently described. Also connected to the wire 4! is one end of a wire 49 whose opposite end terminates in a pair of branches respectively connected to switch contacts 58 and 5|.

Adjacent the contacts 58 and 5| are the contacts 52 and 53, respectively, which are connected to a wire 54 that in turn connects with one end of the running winding 55 of the reversible motor I 4 and also through a wire 56 with the power wire 36. The other end of the running winding 55 connects by a wire 51 with the wire 41.

The free ends of pivoted switch arms 58 and 59 are movable between contacts 5| and 53 and contacts 56 and 52, respectively, and the pivoted end of the switch arm 59 connects through a wire 60 with one end of the starting winding 6| of the motor I4 while the opposite end of this winding connects by wire 62 with the pivoted end of switch arm 58. A starting switch 63, preferably built in as a part of the motor I4, is included in the starting winding circuit between the switch arms 58 and 59. For purpose of subsequent explanation, the switch 63 is shown in open position, but when the heating system is placed in operation, this switch is closed and remains closed, all regulation of the system being automatically determined by other parts thereafter.

The switch arms 48, 58 and 59 and the associated contacts 4|, 5| and 53, and 58 and 52, respectively, are included in the relay 43, the arms being connected for simultaneous movement by a link 64 and biased to the positions shown in Fig. 2 by a spring 65.

To shift the switch arms 48, 58 and 59 into engagement with the contacts 4|, 5| and 52, respectively, for determining a supply of heat to the space circuit if the space is then demanding heat, the following instrumentalities are provided. One end of the secondary winding 66 of the transformer 38 connects by a wire 61 with one terminal of a typical room thermostat 68 which may be of the bimetal type, while the other end of the winding 66 connects with one end of a holding coil 69 which is located in coacting relation to the switch arm 59 so that, when the coil is energized as presently described, the switch armsr48, 58 and 59 will be simultaneously shifted to engage the contacts 4|, 5| and 52, respectively, against the pull of the spring 65.

The other end of the holding coil 69 connects by a wire III with a contact II that is cooperably related to a contact I2, these contacts being bridgeable under determined conditions by a switch arm I3 that is supported by and insulated from the arm 45 by a spacer I4. The arrangement is such that when the arm 45 bridges the contacts 42 and 44 by reason of the contraction of the Bourdon tube 46, the arm I3 is shifted out of engagement with the contacts II and I2, but when the tube 46 straightens sufiiciently, which effects a slight raising of the free end of the tube, the arm 45 breaks engagement with the contacts 42 and 44 and the arm I3 engages the contacts II and I2. The contact I2 connects to the other terminal of the room thermostat 68 by a wire 14?.

From the foregoing, it will be understood that the control 34, which is responsive to the temperature of the service water, comprises the bulb 33, Bourdon tube 46, switch arm 45, contacts 42 and 44, switch arm I8 and contacts II and I2. The last named arm and contacts, while forming a part of the electrical circuit which includes the room thermostat 68, are considered to be embodied in the control 34 because the position of the switch arm I3 is determined by the Bourdon tube 46.

Power is supplied to the burner II through a burner control panel I5 having line contacts I6 and II, the former being connected through a wire I8 and a high limit or safety control I9 with the wire 47, while the contact II connects through the wire 86 with the wire 54. The contacts I6 and I! are connected further and in the conventional manner with the proper elements of the burner II, but since these connections do not form any part of the invention, they are neither illustrated nor described. The high limit control I9 is mounted in the boiler I0 in the usual manner so as to be responsive to the temperature of the boiler water and is normally closed.

With the parts in the several positions shown in Fig. 2, power is supplied to the panel I5 from the power wire 35 through the hot wire 39, wire 48, contact 42, switch arm 45, contact 44, wire 41, control I9, wire I8 to the line contact I6, and the burner circuit from the panel is completed through the contact IT and wires 80, 54 and 56 to the power wire 35. When the control 34 is conditioned to open the switch arm 45 and to close the switch arm I3, which additionally moves the relay switch arm 48 into engagement with the contact 4|, power is supplied to the panel 75 from the power wire 35 through the hot wire 39, wire 48, contact 4|, switch arm 48, wire 41, high limit switch I9 and wire I8 to the line contact I6, and the burner circuit from the panel is completed through the contact I! and wires 80, 54 and 58 to the power wire 36.

The purpose of the high limit control I9 is to prevent an excessive temperature of the boiler water. By way of example, it will be considered that the control 19 is adjusted to open when the boiler water attains a temperature of 180 1 At all temperatures below this temperature, the control '19 is closed and operation of the burner H is determined'by the control 34 and the room thermostat 68.

In describing the operation of the system, it will be assumed that the system is being placed in operation for the first timeand is therefore cold. The parts then occupy the positions shown in Figs. 1 and 2. When the starting switch 83 is closed, it being understood that a suitable power connection has otherwise been made to the power wires 35 and as; power is supplied to the burner l 5 through the circuit which includes the contacts 22 and 4s and the switch arm as described above so that the burner begins operation.

At the same time, power is supplied to the running and starting windings as and GI, respectively, of the motor l 4 which drives the pump it tocause'circuiation through the service circuit in the direction of the arrows the flow control valve [6 being openeclby pump pressure and the flow control valve l? remaining closed. Specifically, the circuit through the running winding 55 includespower wire 35, hot wire 35, wire iii, contact 42, switch arm 35, contact i l, wire 4?, wire 51, running winding 55, and wires 56 and The circuit through the starting winding 6i includes power wire 35. hot wire as, wire is, contact 42, switch arm t5, contact 44, wire il wire 49, contact switch arm 59, wire 66, switch 63, starting winding 6i, wire 52, switch arm 58, contact 53, and wiresiid and 56 to the power wire 35.

The foregoing condition continues until the temperature oft-he service water attains the assumed controlling temperature of 140 notwithstanding any demand of the room thermostat 68 for heat. Until the Bourdon tube at opens the switch arm at the controlling temperature, the switch arm l3 remains open tobreak the circuit through the thermostat 58 even though the latter is closed.

When the service water temperature reaches 140 F., the Bourdon tube as opens the switch arm 45 and closes the switch arm 33. If the room thermostat E5! is not then demanding heat, the burner H and motor i l ceases operation since the relay switch arm 48 is in the open position i 69 is energized to thereby rocl; the relay switch arms 48, 58 and 59 into engagement with the contacts 4|, 5! and 52, respectively. Due to the closing of the switch arm 48, the burner II is placed in operation if then shut down, or continues to operate if the room thermostat 53 had closed prior to the closing of the switch arm 13.

At the'same time, the polarity across the starting winding 61 is reversed so that the motor l4 in the opposite direction and circulates boiler water through the space circuit in the direction of the arrows 32, the flow control valve I! being Opened by pump pressure and the flow control valve it being closed. The polarity reversalis efiected by a circuit which, beginning with the power wire 35, includes the hot wire 59, wire. 46, contact 4|, switch arm 48, wires 4'! and 29, contact 5|, switch arm 58, wire 62, starting winding 6!, wire 58, switch 63, switch arm 59, contact 52, wires 54 and 5t, and power wire 36. The polarity across the running winding 55 re- 8 mains unchangeds'in'ce its circuit then includes the :closedrelay switch 48, wires 3! and'S'l, the winding itself, and the Wire 55 to the power wiretfi.

Heating of the space circuit continues aslong as the room thermostat 63 remains closed, or until the service circuit demands heat. If thelatter does not occur before the thermostat 68' is.satisfled, then the opening of the thermostat Badeenergizes the holding coil 59 so that the relay switch'arms 48, 58 and 59 are retracted to the positionsishown in Fig. 2, but the switch arm 13 remains closed. since the temperature of the service'water is then at or above the controlling temperature of 140 F. Under these conditions, the burner H andthe motor is shutdown because power is supplied thereto through either the switch arm 45 or the switch arm. 48 and both of these arms are now open.

However, if before the space circuit is satisfied, the service circuit demands heat, the contraction or" theBourdon tube ltcloses the switch arm .45 and opens the switch arm '53, thereby deenergizing the holding coil 69, restoring the relay switch 43 to the position shown in Fig. 2, and reversing the rotation of the motor 54 so that oil'- culationis established in the service circuit; in the direction of the arrows 3! and denied to: the space circuit, all as described-in detail above.

In Fig. 3 i 'illustrated a variation of the system in which the principal differences consists in a rearrangement of certain mechanical components, the separate water circuits being retained as well as the electrical control system shown in Fig. 2. Like parts in Figs. 1 and 3 are identified by the'same'numerals.

The numeral 8! designates a hot water boiler that is fired by the burner H and extending from the upper part of the boiler is a riser 82 that in .turnconnects with one sidev of th reversible pump l3 driven by the reversible motor M; The other side of the pump [3 connectswith one coaxial branch of a T 33 whose other coaxial branch connects with the outlet of a flow control valve 84 that is similar to the valves l5 and H. The inlet of the valve 84 communicates with one end of a casing 85 forming part of an instantaneous heater generally indicated by the numeral 86. and, adjacent the opposite end of thecasing 85, the. bottom thereof communicates with the boiler 8! through a tube 8"! which may extend close to the bottom of the boiler to improve circulation within the boiler. However; the tube 8! is not essential to the operation of the system. A service water heating coil 88 is mounted within the-casing 85 in heat'exchange relation to boiler water coursing therethrough andtheinlet of this coil is connected to a cold water supply pipe 89 while its outlet communicates with a pipe 90 leading to the usual service outlets.

The parts just described constitute the service circuit and when the pump I3 is driven in the appropriate direction, the circulation is in the ire ion of the wavy shafted arrows 9|, th flow control valve 84 being opened by pump pressure. Preferably, the interior of the casing 85 includes a plurality of baffles 92 whichare located in the conventional manner to establish a sinuous path for the boiler water flowing through the casing to facilitate heatexchange with the coil 88. Adjacent the outlet of this coil, the bulb 33 is. immersed in the service water audit, the burner H and the motor M are tied in with the electrical control circuit shown in Fig. 2.

The lateral branch of the T 83 connects with the inlet of a flow control valve 92 that is of the vertically reciprocable type, as distinguished from the pivoted type exemplified by the valve 84, and the outlet of the valve 92 connects through a pipe 93 with any desired number of space heating elements 29. Water from these elements is returned to the bottom of the boiler 8| through a pipe 94. The parts just described, together with the riser 82 and pump I3, form the space heating circuit and, when the pump I3 is driven in the proper direction, circulation through this circuit is indicated by the straight shafted arrows 95, the valve 92 being opened by pump pressure and the valve 84 being gravity closed since pump pressure then acts with equal force on opposite sides of this valve.

The operation of this system is identical with that shown in Fig. 1, 'flow through the space circuit being subordinate to flow through the service circuit and both never occurring at the same time. The principal advantage of this modification is that the parts disposed above the boiler 8|, including the pump I3, motor I4,

T 83, valves 84 and 92, instantaneous heater 86 with its control 34, are mounted within a casing 96 which additionally includes such fittings as will enable the parts to be connected to the boiler and the remainder of the system. Hence, it is possible to assemble the parts within the casing 96 at the factory and ship this unit for installation.

Since systems of the character illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3 are ordinarily of the closed type, it will be understood that the usual expansion tank and pressure relief valve would be associated with the respective boilers to accommodate pressure fluctuations and excessive pressures in the system, but since these parts are not necessary to an understanding of the inventive concept, they have not been illustrated or described in detail.

In Fig. 4, however, there is illustrated a further variation in which the instantaneous heater is additionally conditioned to serve as an expansion tank. Like parts which are identical with those shown in Figs. 1 and 3 are designated by like numerals.

The boiler 91 is fired by the burner II and from the bottom of the boiler extends upwardly a pipe 98 for connection, with one side 01 the reversible pump I3 which is driven by the reversible motor I4. The'other side of the pump connects with one coaxial branch of a T 99 whose lateral branch communicates with the inlet of a pivoted flow control valve I whose outlet con nects through an intermediate wall IOI provided in a casing I 02 having an end wall I03 sufiiciently spaced from the wall IOI to include therebetween the pump I3, T 99 and valve I00. For a reason presently explained, the connection of the valve I 00 to the intermediate wall IOI is disposed radially inward of and below .the periphery of the wall IOI if the casing is cylindrical.

The other end of the casing I02 carries a tube sheet I04 in which are mounted the ends of a plurality of tube passes generally forming a service water heating coil I05 that extends into that part of the casing I02 included between the wall IOI and the tube sheet I04 and is in heat exchange relation to the boiler water in this part of the casing. The inlet and outlet ends of the coil I05 communicate, respectively, with inlet and outlet chambers I06 and I08 provided in a header I09 which abuts the tube sheet I04 and is suitably securedto the casing I02. .A cold water pipe IIO connects with the inlet chamber I06 and a hot or service water pipe III connects the outlet chamber I08 with the service outlets. Adjacent the tube sheet I04, the lower portion of the casing I02 connects with the top of the boiler 91 through a pipe H2.

The parts just described constitute the service circuit and when the pump I3 is driven in the proper direction, circulation through this circuit is in the direction of the wavy shafted arrows I I3, the valve I00 being opened by pump. pressure. To facilitate heat exchange between the boiler water in the casing I02 and the coil I05, a plurality of baffies I I4 are spaced along the coil to cause the boiler water to pursue a sinuous course in moving from the wall IOI to the pipe H2. The alternate, upper bailies II4 are spaced from the upper portion of the casing I02 by notching or otherwise so that when the system is filled, an air space H5 is formed above the water level, indicated by the numeral H6. The trapping of air in this space is occasioned by the position of the outlet connection from the valve I00 in the wall I0Iv which is located at. a suitable distance below the upper part of the casing I02 for this purpose. This trapped air accommodates expansion in the system since the casing I02 communicates at all times with the boiler through the pipe II 2.

The bulb 33 is immersed in the service water in the outlet chamber I08 and this bulb, the burner II and motor I4 are connected in the electrical control system shown in Fig. 2.

For the space circuit, a pipe III, operating as a supply to space heating elements 29, is connected to the lower portion of the casing I02 adjacent the tube sheet I04 and includes a flow control valve I I8 of the gravity type. Water from the elements 29 is returned through a pipe I I9 to the other coaxial branch of the T 99. Hence, when the pump I3 is circulating water through the space circuit, the flow is in the direction of the straight shafted arrows I20, i. e., downwardly through the pipe 98, upwardly through the boiler 91 and pipe I I2, through a limited portion of the casing I02 to the pipe II 1, the valve H8 being opened by pump pressure, through the space heating elements 29, and thence through the pipe H9 and T 99 to the other side of the pump I3, the valve I00 being then gravity closed.

The operation and control of the system shown in Fig. 4 is identical with those of Figs. 1 and3, preferential control being vested in. the service circuit. Also as in Fig. 3, the organization comprising the casing I02 and the parts carried thereby and included therein may be assembled at the factory and shipped for unit installation.

. Another feature of the arrangements illustrated in Figs. 1, 3 and 4 is the trapping in the casings of the several instantaneous heaters of boiler water having a temperature sufficiently high to supply heat to the service water for a reasonable period while heat is being supplied to the space circuit, 1. e., until the temperature of the service water drops below F. In Fig. l, a substantial portion of the casing I9 extends above the boiler I0 while in Figs. 3 and 4, the casings 8'5 and I02, respectively, are disposed wholly above the boilers B I and 91, respectively, it being understood that, in Fig. 4, the coil I05 and the enclosing part of the casing I02 define an instantaneous heater I2 -l Since the casings-I9, 8'5 and-IMwould be fully covered by a coating of insulation (not shown) and'heat' cannot be supplied to the space circuit until the tem-peratureoftheserv-ice water attains 140 F., it is apparent that, when flowis shifted to. the spacecircuit, there will be pocketed in'the" indicated 'casings'b-oiler water having a temperature sumcient toproduce the above service water temperature. Due to. theinsulation, loss of heat from the casingsiS, 85, and'iflz will proceed very slowly-so-thatjthe service circuit is conditioned fora reasonable draw ofservice water duringa period ofzheat supply to the'space circuit and'before flow is restored to, the service circuit.

Instead of employing. the temperature responsive control 34 'for' controlling the flow shift between the service and space circuits, a pressure responsive control, generally indicated by the numeral I 22 in Fig. 5, may be utilized. The latter control includes an open endedfitting I2=3 that would be inserted in the. pipe 26in Fig. 1', or in the pipe 90 in Fig. 3, or in the pipe III. in Fig. 4., close to the outlets of the respective service water heating coils inthesefigures and so that the service water. would flow through av chamber I 24 in the fitting.

Thetop wall ofthe fitting includes an opening I25 andbridged. across this opening is a diaphragm I26. that responsive .to pressure changesinthe chamber I241. The periphery of the diaphragm 125 is clamped against thefitting l.23..by the. flanged. inner end. of. an inverted cup I21 and theouter. end of the cup threadingly received an adjusting plug 128. Respectively abutting the top sideof the diaphragm [Zn-and theinner. end of the plug IZBare washers I29 and. I38 and interposed between these washers isa .helical loading spring Iii-I whose compression maybe regulated by the plug I28 to. deter mine an upward. movement of the diaphra m at some selected. pressure in the chamber Iii-4 corresponding to the: desiredcontrolling temperature of the service water.

The lower end ofv a stem I 32is fast to the center of the diaphragm I26 and extends, freely upward throughythe spring I3! and. plug I.23.for attachment .to one endofalever I33 that is pref erably electrically non-conducting, being. com

posed of a material such as asuitable plastic, I

and whichis intermediately pivoted on astandard. I34, carried by the cup I21. The other end of the lever ifitisprovided-with a, contact I3 5 which coacts with acontact ,ISii-carriedby a base I31. Between the pivot. of thelever i 33 and thecontact 35, the lever carries .a second con.- tact I33-whichcoacts witha-contact I39 mounted-on the base I31.

The contacts [35.and I3i5 .are included in the electrical system for controlling ,the service circuit and therefore. correspond. to the contacts 52 and M, respectively, in Fig. 2, while the contacts I38 and I39. are included in the electrical system for controlling the space circuit-and hence correspond to. the contacts H and [2, respectively, in Fig. 2'. Accordingly, when. the pressure responsivecontrol I22 .is substituted for, the temperature responsive control. 3.4, in Fig. 2,. the wires 49. and, 37 would be connected to the contacts I35 and I36, while the wires I0 and M would be. connected to the contacts I38 and I39, all respectively.

Since the spring I SI biases the contact I35 into engagement with the contact I36, separation of these contacts can only be accomplished by a pressure rise inthe service water, which pressure at the interrupting point corresponds. to.

a service water temperature of Rand this interrupting pressure also engages the contacts I38 and I39. Thecontrol [21.15 then conditioned to'shift boiler water flow to the space circuit whenever the room thermostat 68 demands heat. It then one or more service outlets, such as a faucet, is opened, the accompanying drop in pressure in the chamber iZflwillenable thespring I'BI to reengage'the contacts 9'35 and I36 and separate the contacts I38 and I35 However, if the cont-acts I35 and I35 are'engagedwhena faucet i's opened, they remain in engagement becausea draw of service water drops the pressure in't'he chamber I24.

In each-of the abovesystemmodifications, the boiler isnever required to simultaneously supp y heat to the service and space circuits and hence the'temperature of the boiler water can be raised more'quickly to the desired figure than is possible in;the usual system where the boiler must supply heat to bothcircuits'at the same time.

I I claim:

1. Inc. hot water heating system, the combination of,a service water heating'circuit, a space heating circuit, a boiler common to both circuits, passage means for service water in heat exchange relation to the'ser-vice circuit, a reversible pump common to both circuits and responsive to the temperature of the service water for circulating boiler water in opposite directions below above, respectively, a predetermined temperature of the, service water, and valve means for direct ing the boiler water flow throughthe service circuit below said temperature and. through. the space circuitaoove said temperature.

2. In a hot water heating system, the combination of a service water heating circuit, a space heating circuit, a boiler common to bothcircuits, passage means for service water in heat exchange relation to the service circuit, a reversibl pump common to both circuits and responsive to the temperature of the service water for circulating boiler water in opposite directions below and above, respectively, a predetermined temperature of the service water, and valve means biased to a closedposition and arranged to simultaneously admit and deny boiler water to the service and space circuits, respectively, below saidtemperature and to simultaneously deny and admit boiler water to the servic and space circuits, respectively, above saidtemperature.

3. In, ahot water heating system, the combination of a servicewater heating circuit, a space heating. circuit, aboiler. common. to both circuits, passagemeans for servicewater in heat exchange relationto the service circuit, a reversible pump common to both circuits and responsive to the temperature. of the service water for circulating boiler water in opposite directions below and above, respectively, a predetermined temperature of the service water, and valve means responsive in an opening direction topump pressure for directing boiler water. flow through the service circuit below said temperature and through the space circuit above said temperature;

4. In a hot water heating system, the combination of a service water heating circuit, a space heating circuit, a boiler common to both circuits, passage-means for'service water in heat exchange relation to the service circuit, a reversible pump common to both circuits and responsive to the temperature of the service water for circulating boiler water in opposite directions below and above, respectively, a predetermined temperature of the service water, and valve means biased to a closed position and responsive in an opening direction to pump pressure and arranged to simultaneously admit and deny boiler water to the service and space circuits, respectively, below said temperature and to simultaneously deny and admit boiler water to the service and space circuits, respectively, above said temperature.

5. In a hot water heating system, the combination of a s rvice water heating circuit, a space heating circuit, a boiler common to both cir cuits, passage means for service water in heat exchange relation to the service circuit, a reversible pump common to both circuits and responsive to the temperature of the service water for circulating boiler water in opposite directions below and above, respectively, a predetermined temperature of the service Water, and first and second valves in the service and space circuits, respectively, each valve being gravity closed and opened by pump pressure when effective in the associated circuit, and the first and second valves being arranged to simultaneously admit and deny boiler water to the service and space circuits, respectively, below said temperature and to simultaneously deny and admit boiler water to the service and space circuits, respectively, above said temperature.

6. In a hot water heating system, the combination of a service water heating circuit, a space heating circuit, a boiler common to both circuits, passage means for service water in heat exchange relation to the service circuit, a reversible pump common to both circuits, thermostatic means responsive to the temperature of the service water and operable to effect actuation of the pump in opposite directions below and above, respectively, a predetermined temperature of the service water, and valve means for directing the boiler water flow through the service circuit below said temperature and through the space circuit above said temperature.

7. In a hot water heating system, the combination of a service water heating circuit, a space heating circuit, a boiler common to both circuits, passage means for service water in heat exchange relation to the service circuit, a reversible pump common to both circuits, means responsive to the pressure of the service water and operable to effect actuation of the pump in opposite directions below and above, respectively, a predetermined temperature of the service water, and valve means for directing the boiler water flow through the service circuit below said temperature and through the space circuit above said temperature.

8. In a hot water heating system, the combination of a service water heating circuit, a space heating circuit, a boiler common to both circuits, passage means for service water in heat exchange relation to the service circuit, a room thermostat positioned to be afiected by the space circuit, temperature responsive means answering to the temperature of the service water, a reversible pump common to both circuits, a reversible motor drivably connected to the pump, electrical connections between the thermostat, temperature responsive means and motor arranged to circulate boiler water in opposite directions below and above, respectively, a predetermined temperature of the service water, and valve means for directing the boiling water flow 14 through the service circuit below said temperature and through the space circuit above said temperature when the thermostat demands heat.

9. In a hot water heating system, the combination of a service water heating circuit, a space heating circuit, a boiler common to both circuits, passage means for service water in heat exchange relation to the service circuit, a room thermostat positioned to be afiected by the space circuit, means responsive to the pressure of the service water, a reversible pump common to both circuits, a reversible motor drivably connected to the pump, electrical connections between the thermostat, pressure responsive means and motor arranged to circulate boiler water in opposite directions below and above, respectively, a predetermined temperature of the service Water, and valve means for directing the boiler water flow through the service circuit below said temperature and through the space circuit above said temperature when the thermostat demands heat.

10. In a hot water heating system having a boiler and a service water heating circuit and a space heating circuit each communicating with the boiler, a reversible pump common to both circuits and responsive to the temperature of the service water for circulating boiler water in opposite directions below and above, respectively, a predetermined temperature of the service water, and valve means for directing the boiler water flow through the service circuit below said temperature and through the space circuit above said temperature.

11. In a hot water heating system having a boiler and a service water heating circuit and a space heating circuit each communicating with the boiler, a reversible pump common to both circuits and responsive to the temperature of the service water for circulating boiler water in opposite directions below and above, respectively, a predetermined temperature of the service water, and first and second valves in the service and space circuits, respectively, each valve being gravity closed and opened by pump pressure when eiTective in the associated circuit, and the first and second valves being arranged to simultaneously admit and deny boiler water to the service and space circuits, respectively, below said temperature, and to simultaneously deny and admit boiler water to the service and space circuits, respectively, above said temperature.

12. In a hot water heating system, the combination of a boiler, a service water heating circuit including a casing positioned above the boiler, a space heating circuit, the boiler being common to both circuits and the connections of the casing to the system being disposed below the upper portion of the casing whereby air is trapped in the casing when the system is filled to accommodate expansion in the system, passage means for service water in heat exchange relation to the boiler water in the casing, a reversible pump common to both circuits and responsive to the temperature of the service water for circulating boiler water in opposite directions below and above, respectively, a predetermined temperature of the service water, and valrve means directing the boiler water flow through the service circuit below said temperature and through the space circuit above said temperature.

ROBERT E. MOORE.

No references cited. 

